The world’s largest automotive industry expo highlights trends toward new energy and intelligent technologies.

The 18th Shanghai International Auto Parts, Repair, Testing, Diagnostic Equipment, and Service Supplies Exhibition was held recently. As currently the largest automotive industry expo in China and globally, new energy and intelligent technologies have become key highlights of the event, with a number of high-tech companies making their debut in the automotive aftermarket sector.

According to reports, as a comprehensive automotive industry service platform integrating information exchange, industry promotion, commercial and trade services, and industrial education, this year’s exhibition boasts a total display area exceeding 300,000 square meters, representing a 36% increase over the previous edition. The event has attracted nearly 6,000 exhibiting companies from 41 countries and regions, marking a 71% year-on-year growth.

Yu Guang, General Manager of Frankfurt Exhibition (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., one of the organizers of the exhibition, stated that with the rapid advancement of new energy and intelligent connectivity technologies, the global automotive industry is accelerating its transition toward electrification, digitalization, and connectivity. China is now leading the fast-paced development of the new-energy and intelligent connectivity sectors, and the global industry community has shown keen interest in the innovative progress of China’s automotive industry. As the world’s largest automotive industry chain exhibition, this year’s event further deepens the theme “Technological Innovation, Driving the Future,” focusing on R&D of new-energy vehicle technologies, supporting industrial chain integration, and the value chain in the aftermarket. The exhibition aims to showcase the innovative achievements of the global automotive industry as it moves toward electrification and intelligence, and to establish a comprehensive, high-quality professional platform for technological exchange and cooperation between Chinese and foreign automotive industries.

It is understood that this year’s exhibition has further upgraded and strengthened the “Technology, Innovation, and Trends” concept zone, which made its debut at the previous edition. The four key concept zones cover innovative technologies and cutting-edge solutions across the entire automotive industry chain in the era of new energy. Several major traditional component manufacturers are accelerating their transition to new-energy vehicles—for instance, Bosch is showcasing its full range of smart electric-vehicle diagnostic products and Bosch Connected Car Services; ZF will offer high-voltage training, new-energy braking system products, and the latest solutions for intelligent fleet digital management specifically tailored for the new-energy aftermarket; Rheinmetall has launched a series of sensors and high-voltage contactors; and Mahle is developing comprehensive solutions for electric vehicles.

In addition, a large number of high-tech companies have also made their debut in the automotive aftermarket sector. Leading companies specializing in automotive intelligence, such as Horizon Robotics, have unveiled comprehensive intelligent driving solutions; ZhiJia Technology offers complete L2-level and higher ADAS intelligent driver-assistance system solutions for both passenger and commercial vehicles; Unity showcased its virtual interaction and digital twin technologies; Ambarella Semiconductor demonstrated its cutting-edge chip technologies; and Ruipu Lanjun presented its lithium battery technologies and solutions in the fields of new-energy vehicle power systems and smart energy storage.

Zhou Shaolan, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (Hong Kong) Ltd., stated that with technological advancements and developments in the supply chains related to new-energy vehicles and intelligent connected vehicles, as well as the accelerated transformation and upgrading of traditional auto parts and the aftermarket, the global automotive industry is now focusing its attention on China, aiming to explore the growing potential market share and immense business opportunities. As an internationally influential automotive industry service platform, the exhibition facilitates face-to-face exchange of market information and technical communication, analysis of industry trends, and business matchmaking, thereby encouraging colleagues from around the world to join hands in envisioning and planning for entirely new future business collaborations.

Zhang Li, General Manager of China National Machinery Industry International Corporation, stated that under the guidance of the “New Four Modernizations” strategy and driven by the trends of electrification and intelligentization, the automotive industry is once again experiencing technological transformation and industrial restructuring. The deep integration of next-generation information technology with automobile manufacturing not only broadens the upstream and downstream industrial chains of the automotive sector but also places more comprehensive demands on the entire automotive value chain. Looking ahead, we will continue to leverage exhibitions as a key link to bring together the global automotive ecosystem, enabling more foreign products and services to enter the Chinese market while facilitating the global outreach of Chinese-made products and Chinese innovations.

Yu Guang introduced that this year’s expo attracted a total of 177 professional buyer delegations from both domestic and international markets, marking a new historical high in the number of buyer groups. In addition to the 127 domestic buyer delegations from various provinces and cities, there were also 50 overseas visitor groups from 27 countries and regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Brazil, and Australia. These buyers not only have clear purchasing intentions but also seek a comprehensive understanding of the latest trends in China’s R&D and manufacturing in the new energy industry, as well as its supporting industrial chain and after-sales service capabilities.